Couple together in life and service

The Rev. Walter C. Campbell Sr. and Annie B. Campbell of Clearwater share a love not only for each other, but for family, friends and community. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Feb. 16 with 80 guests from Florida and Georgia on the grounds of Bayview Baptist Church of Clearwater, where Rev. Campbell serves as senior pastor.

Organized by the Campbells' three daughters, Erma Boateng, Janice Harrell and Cynthia Campbell Williams, the event included a barbecue and a special musical dedication of I Won't Complain sung by Ms. Dora Ganious of Orlando.

Rev. Campbell was born in Pahokee, and Mrs. Campbell arrived here from Boston, Ga. Both have lived in Clearwater since the mid 1950s.

They were married Feb. 13, 1958, at the Pinellas County Courthouse.

Rev. Campbell attended Palm Beach Atlantic College, West Palm Beach, and in 1988 received a masters degree in Bible theology from International Bible Institute in Plymouth, Fla. He has been the only pastor of Bayview Baptist Church since its beginning 33 years ago.

In addition to his ministerial work, he has served on a number of community, civic and religious boards throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. He was president of the NAACP Clearwater/Upper Pinellas County Branch for 12 consecutive years and a member of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Nominating Committee. He is a current board member of Faith, Action, and Strength Together and Religious Community Services, and is affiliated with the United Farm Workers of America.

Mrs. Campbell has worked more than 30 years as a prekindergarten teacher at Community Pride Child Care Gateway Center where third-generation family members are in her class.

The couple have bowled together in a Christian bowling league for more than 20 years.

In addition to three daughters, they had a son, Walter Cornelius Campbell Jr., who is now deceased; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Throughout the years, the Campbells have supported each other's commitment to various organizations and jointly agree, "If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain."

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Chet and Audrey Fair of Palm Harbor recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married March 20, 1948 at Grace Reform Church in Canton, Ohio.

Mr. Fair began his career as a teacher and head football coach at Lehman High School in Canton, and from 1971 through 1974 he coached at the University of Toledo.

The couple came here in 1985 from Ohio.

Mrs. Fair enjoys playing the organ and piano and entertains at various functions around town.

They are members of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church and have five children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Young rescuer of elderly woman praised

Palm Harbor resident Scott Ford, 25, was recently honored for an act of heroism and saving an elderly woman from a fire.

On Feb. 19, Mr. Ford rescued a 70-year-old woman when he entered her smoke-filled, second-story apartment at the direction of her frantic husband, broke out a window in her burning bedroom and carried her to safety just as the Palm Harbor firefighters arrived on scene. The woman was taken to the hospital and treated for minor smoke inhalation and released the next morning.

At a Fire Commission meeting at Palm Harbor Fire Rescue Station 65, fire Chief James Angle honored Ford for his heroic deed. Ford's wife, parents and several other family members attended the event.

To submit an item , write to Nova Beall, 710 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Fax to (727) 445-4119 or e-mail sbeall@sptimes.com. Good For You includes news of 50th wedding anniversaries, people celebrating their 100th birthday (or more) and young people's noteworthy achievements academically, in the arts or community service. For information or an anniversary form, call (727) 445-4221.